Using the Draft to build his team as well as having the right coaches in place, eight years after he was hired, George Young had the Giants in the Super Bowl. After 19 fruitful seasons at the helm of the Giants organization, in 1998, Young stepped down as GM. Although Young was no longer the chief decision maker, his plan would remain in place. His replacement Ernie Accorsi has even written down much of Young’s philosophy. Accorsi has kept a daily log since Young hired him primarily as what N.F.L. people call a salary capologist. That’s why Accorsi’s philosophy as the Giants’ general manager was basically the same as Young’s. The belief system which was put into place by Young was:

Needless to say, as we approach the Draft, let us see if we can figure out Reese’s thinking on the Giants first round pick. This year, Reese will be in charge of his fourth draft. If we look back on the previous three years, Reese has been selecting at the bottom of the first round.

2007: 20th pick

2008: 31st pick

2009: 29th pick

Each first round selection was both value and need. On the contrary, this year, Reese is slated to pick at 15. This is new territory for Reese. Will he select value and need or will he pick the best available athlete?

So far this is what we know. Through free agency, Reese addressed the safety position by signing free agents Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant. And with Kenny Phillips coming back, the safety position has been upgraded. Therefore, safety does not appear to be a grave concern. However, there are holes to fill in other areas. Again, taking into account Young’s philosophy, the priority is quarterback, pass rusher, left tackle, and corner. We can deduce the Giants have their quarterback and corner positions satisfied. What about pass rusher and left tackle? In the past few years, the Giants were tops in the league in sacks. Last year, was a different story. For whatever reason, they did not put enough pressure on a quarterback. So finding a pass rusher at 15 would be a consideration. Looking at Wonder’s DE analysis, there is not a defensive end deserving to be drafted at 15. On the other hand, like Reese found Umenyiora in 2003, perhaps, there is an end the Giants may pick in the second round.

Left tackle is the other position to upgrade. Right now, the Giants have starters David Diehl and an aging Kareem McKenzie. Besides last year’s second round pick William Beatty, the Giants do not have quality depth here. Again, looking at Wonder’s analysis of tackles, there does not look like there is a tackle worthy of the 15th pick. Although Mike Iupati is listed as a guard, there is a possibility he can play tackle.

What will Reese do?

Unless Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain falls to 15, Reese will choose McClain as a value and need pick. And if McClain is not available, going back to the Giants priority list, Reese will use his first round pick on an offensive lineman ie Iupati. And his second round pick will be a pass rusher. Either he will select a pass rushing linebacker who can cover a running back or tight end or choose a pass rushing defensive end.